Microsoft held its Community Day for Independent Software Vendors (ISV) in the Kingdom of Bahrain on February 28th. The event updated ISVs on the latest Microsoft technologies and solutions, and discussed ways to enhance their experience using .NET tools in product and solution. ISVs were also given the opportunity to enroll in Microsoft’s Partner Programs with the ISVs/Software competency.

ISVs face a unique set of challenges. Increasing business needs and ever-changing customer and technology demands all add to the pressure of running a successful software business. Microsoft’s partner programs for ISVs have been designed to enable software partners to distinguish themselves and grow in a competitive business environment.

Taj El Khayat, Partners Account Manager for Microsoft North Gulf said: “Our Partners Program has been designed to address the different competencies and needs of each of our partners. We understand that just as there are differences in each partner organization, so the tools required by each are different. We tailor the tools and the programs to ensure our partners receive benefits, information and business opportunities that are relevant to them. This differentiation in turn helps customers to find the right solutions partner to meet their needs.”

At this Community Day, ISV’s were updated on .NET technologies, the Microsoft Web services strategy to connect information, people, systems, and devices through software. Integrated across the Microsoft platform, .NET technology provides the ability to quickly build, deploy, manage, and use connected, security-enhanced solutions with Web services. .NET-connected solutions enable businesses to integrate their systems more rapidly and in a more agile manner and help them realize the promise of information anytime, anywhere, on any device.

“Developers have long understood the benefits of Microsoft .NET technologies. The wide variety of .NET tools, services, clients, and servers empower developers to build powerful software and systems through Web services. These technologies offer IT professionals far-reaching benefits, from accelerating and improving daily operations to providing advanced capabilities for deploying next-generation technologies, .NET can help connect companies more broadly than ever before,” El Khayat said.

Apart from presenting the features of .NET technologies, ISVs were also briefed about the .NET product roadmap for upcoming updates and security issues. Microsoft North Gulf partner, Safat IT gave the attendees an insight of the .NET technology roadmap and demonstrated a real-life success story. As an organization that has moved from competition technology platform to Microsoft .NET platform, Safat IT shared with the audience, best practices, increased productivity and efficiency as well as positive return on investment, which have resulted from this platform migration. Another Microsoft partner, the Bahrain Institute of Technology offered ISVs free access to their lab for test driving the .NET technologies. Access will be granted from March 5th-16th between 5-9 pm, Saturday through Wednesday. A subject expert will also be on hand to assist ISVs and answer their queries.

Samir Benmakhlouf, Country Manager for Microsoft in Bahrain emphasized: “In Bahrain, we are investing in skill transferring to more than 50 software solution providers. By empowering these solution providers with Microsoft’s advanced technological know how, we ensure that their customers in Bahrain and all over the region are offered the best services possible.”

“The Microsoft Partner Program offers a single, integrated partnering framework that recognizes expertise, rewards total impact in the technology marketplace, and delivers more value to help businesses become successful. The ISV/Software solutions competency gives partners access to a unique set of benefits — over and above those based on their program level — to support all stages of their business cycle. With events such as the Community Day we aim to educate our valued partners and fulfill our long term vision of enabling individuals and businesses to realize their full potential, while looking forward to building a bigger and stronger community of ISVs in the region as a whole.” El Khayat concluded.